fleur-de-lis Cross

Up to this point, I have never sold any of my projects. I recently have been asked by my sister-in-law to allow her to sell my crosses in her beauty salon. One of her customers saw one hanging there and asked where she got it. Long story short,..she ordered 4 site unseen and said cost is not an issue! How could I pass that up! I figure I could use the money to buy wood or even a new saw! Whoo Hooo….!

Well, this is the first of the crosses for that first order. Fleur-de-lis is a big seller in Louisiana. I hope she likes it! What should I charge her> It is about 12 inches tall and made from Poplar and Walnut with 4 coats of a poly finish.

sweet cross – my girflriends mom would love that! maybe i should get into some scroll sawing – its definitely not as easy as it looks

yeah, i would not charge as much as its probably worth (at first anyways). If this is just a hobby you cant expect to get paid what you would at a job (hourly). Maybe if you give her a good deal, and the word gets around how awesome these are, maybe there will be more clients…and gradually you can increase the price. that all aside, I’d definitely say its worth $30

Fantastic cutting. Nice and smooth.In regards to price, thats always a difficult one because you rarely get what your work is worth.There must be some starting figure in your head. I would start with that number and if you have great success, you can raise it as you go.

I have to say that is a very fine piece of work & I disagree with the line of thought that you should charge less than a professionally made item….......That is professionally made! craftsman quality & worth every penny. Pricing is always a problem for hobbyists just because they love what they do & would even do it for nothing.All I would say is that if someone really wanted that cross & you hadn’t made it, what would they have to pay?? I’m self employed & I have made my commemorative cutting boards as gifts but people who commission them from me are more than happy to pay £100 each because that is the going rate & my work is better than CNC they are personal & that’s what people want to buy, They can buy CNC at Ikea (Sorry for the rant folks but this is craftsmanship)Test the water & good luck with themTrevor

I think you will make it much more difficult for yourself if you low ball the price you charge. You do beautiful work. You cuts are clean and the overall look of your crosses that I have seen are very professional. Once you establish yourself as being “cheap” it will be very hard to get the price you deserve and charge more. I would hate to see you set that precedent. Your work is too good for that. Have confidence in your own abilities and ask a price that YOU will feel good about receiving for your work.

I know it is easier to tell someone else to do it than to do it for yourself. I also have trouble pricing my own items too. I just want to see you earn what your work is worth. Good luck and please let us know what you decide.

I also agree that you should not low ball yourself. Another thing to think about, while making one or two is fun and easy but when you get to the point where you are making 10-20 pieces it ceases to be fun and becomes a chore! So charge enough that you don’t mind doing a chore cause then it is worth while doing. I don’t think I would mind so much doing 10 or 15 pieces but when it gets to the point where I have to start making a couple hundred, I’d have to say “Bah Humbug”!

Hi Mike, Very good and accurately proportioned. Being handcrafted and your personal work, the cost should be high. Sometimes, it is better to ask how much could she offer now that it is finished. Normally, buyer have budget and probably she will offer high as you are offering. But you have to set your limits just like Sheila suggested, you should have a level of you good hobby work…. JUST RIGHT BUT NOT CHEAP…